Petty soon you are going to hit $180 throwing parts around.
Hard to believe a welder would charge more than $50 to weld it on if you bring it in already clocked. If yo do it the way I described the bend will be in it and you will have clocked it.

 

Labor rates are tough out here in Cali. And on the subjective visual test it may vary on who's judging it.
Going to a different smog shop. I believe they will have the prior testing history access on the system.
I'd say if you can smell it under hood should be able to hear it as well.
DMV late fees are for the registration fees. Affirm you will get the incomplete notice for delayed smog test but no extra $.
I drove my van with Jul 2023 sticker on it (P1810 tranny code) until the new reg came in this week. Took awhile to clear the code and get monitors ready. And the engine cover is a pain in the butt. The shop still did test for discount even thought the free retest was long past the time.
Early morning the place get the old ones lined up for the dyno tests 1981 Jeep CJ 1981 Porsche 911 1999 Astros (2) older Honda Accord 2008.
The gross polluter category according to Cali Air Resources Board

 

Went to the local shop. Passed first try. He did note there was some oil on the exhaust but I noticed the valve cover leaking from the back when I was removing the exhaust last week. So that's next on the list. They usually go bad at 225k?

Edit: who's excited to see my camshafts? Never opened it up!

 

Yes the valve cover gasket gets brittle around that mileage. Glad you fixed it and passed emissions test. Enjoy the ride!